Child Trust FundCheck out the official. It provides information on the types of child trust fund accounts available, including updated lists of who's offering which accounts.

Children born on or after 1 September 2002 are entitled to a Child Trust Fund account. You don't need to make a claim to get the account started, the Government will automatically send you a voucher.

The account can give your child a head start as a young adult. It will help your child understand personal finance and the importance of saving for their future. The account belongs to them and when they turn 18, the money is theirs to use as they think best.Click here to view The Child Trust Fund

Sure Start Maternity GrantCoping with the extra costs of a new baby can be difficult. There’s a grant to help you give your baby a positive start in life. It’s called the Sure Start Maternity Grant.

The grant is made from the Social Fund and you do not have to pay it back.

Who can get the grant?

You can get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you or your partner are getting:

Income Support

Income based Jobseeker's Allowance

Pension Credit

Child Tax Credit which includes an amount higher than the family element

Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award

How do I claim?You can claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant on form SF100. You can get the form from the News & Downloads area of our site, click here. The form comes with notes that will help you fill it in and tell you where to send it.

If you have a partner, either of you can fill in the claim form, but make sure you include the name of the baby’s mother.

You can claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant at any time from the 29th week of your pregnancy until your child is three months old.

If you are adopting a baby, you must claim the grant within three months of the adoption and the baby should be no more than 12 months old when you claim.

Tax Credit payments for families with children9 out of 10 families with children are entitled to tax credits. You can be given Child Tax Credit in the form of payments from the government regardless of whether you are working or not.

Child Tax Credit is paid direct to the person who is mainly responsible for caring for the child or children. If you are a lone parent you will receive the payment.

Working Tax Credit is for people who are employed or self-employed (either on their own or in a partnership), who usually work 16 hours or more a week, who are paid for that work, and who expect to work for at least 4 weeks.